PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brian Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexei Kuznetsov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuznetsov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by National Anthem of Russia. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Santos
vs
Kuznetsov

180 cm
24
185 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

187 cm
24
195 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brian Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexei Kuznetsov!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Bruno Lombardi and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuznetsov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kuznetsov keeps the fight on the outside.

Santos closes the distance and clinches.
Santos is pressed up against the cage. Kuznetsov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Santos down to the mat. Santos avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Brian Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Santos tries to clinch up but Kuznetsov circles away and keeps his distance.
Santos tries to clinch up.
Kuznetsov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.

Kuznetsov tries to keep at a distance but Santos has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kuznetsov keeps control of Santos as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos tries to land a knee to the head but Kuznetsov blocks with his arms.
Kuznetsov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Santos avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Santos misses with an elbow over the top.

Kuznetsov has Santos pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kuznetsov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Santos tumbling to the mat - Kuznetsov dives into Santos's guard.
Kuznetsov stands and throws Santos's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kuznetsov working the head with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is working Santos over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kuznetsov just content to control the position.
Kuznetsov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Santos is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kuznetsov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Santos is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kuznetsov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kuznetsov tries to advance to mount but Santos denies him.
Santos wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santos trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Santos dodges the punch combination from Kuznetsov.
The fight stays on the outside here - Santos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Kuznetsov.

It looks like Brian Santos has been cut.
No joy there for Kuznetsov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Santos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Santos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Santos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Santos avoids the head kick by Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Santos shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Santos is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that both miss.
A left lands for Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Kuznetsov catches Santos napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Santos to the canvas!
Kuznetsov stays in close to Santos's body and controls the position.
Kuznetsov is in close to Santos's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kuznetsov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Santos wants to stand up but Kuznetsov is controlling him.
Santos keeping moving, preventing Kuznetsov from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Santos looking for a guillotine here but Kuznetsov defends easily.
Kuznetsov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Kuznetsov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brian Santos's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.
Santos fails in his attempt to clinch.
Santos misses with a two punch combination.
Kuznetsov throws a head kick but Santos moves out of range.
Santos wants to clinch.
Santos tries to clinch up.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that Santos avoids nicely.
Santos tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kuznetsov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos tries to clinch but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Santos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kuznetsov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kuznetsov keeps the fight on the outside.
Alexei Kuznetsov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kuznetsov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kuznetsov lands a lovely overhand right.
Brian Santos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Santos is looking to clinch but Kuznetsov is avoiding it.
Santos takes a jab right on the kisser.

Brian Santos's cut is getting worse.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santos tries to clinch there but Kuznetsov circles away.
Santos scores with a head kick.
Santos tries to clinch but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
A big right from Kuznetsov misses.
Kuznetsov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Santos throws a right and a left that Kuznetsov avoids nicely.
Santos fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a push kick but Santos slaps the foot to one side.
Santos wants to clinch up but Kuznetsov keeps it at a distance.
Santos is looking to clinch.
Santos wants to clinch up but Kuznetsov keeps it at a distance.
Kuznetsov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuznetsov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Santos takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santos is looking to clinch but Kuznetsov is avoiding it.
Kuznetsov misses with the combination.
Santos is looking to clinch but Kuznetsov is avoiding it.
Kuznetsov misses with a few strikes there.
Kuznetsov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Santos tries to clinch up.
Kuznetsov swats away the attempt to clinch by Santos.
Kuznetsov swats away the attempt to clinch by Santos.
A swing and a miss from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov misses with an uppercut.
Kuznetsov throws the left hand but Santos avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov keeps the fight on the outside.
Santos wants to clinch.
Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.
Santos wants to clinch up but Kuznetsov keeps it at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Kuznetsov.
Santos looks to land a combination but Kuznetsov avoids it well.
Kuznetsov loads up on a big right hand but Santos slips the punch.
Kuznetsov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Santos tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuznetsov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kuznetsov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Santos backs up against the cage.
Kuznetsov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuznetsov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Santos displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuznetsov throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov misses with a two punch combination.
Santos tries to clinch but Kuznetsov is having none of it.
Santos tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kuznetsov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Santos wants to clinch up but Kuznetsov keeps it at a distance.
Kuznetsov throws a right and a left that Santos avoids nicely.
Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.
Santos tries to clinch but Kuznetsov moves out of range.
Kuznetsov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kuznetsov throws a hook to the side of Santos's head but Santos sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Santos is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Santos fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kuznetsov checks it well.

A head kick lands from Kuznetsov that sends Santos to the canvas. Santos tries to scramble back to his feet but Kuznetsov brings him back down into side control.

Brian Santos's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santos trying to remain calm as Kuznetsov controls from the top position.
Santos is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Kuznetsov is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Kuznetsov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Brian Santos's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Santos tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kuznetsov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santos tries to clinch there but Kuznetsov circles away.
Kuznetsov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Santos forces Kuznetsov back against the cage and clinches.

Santos is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kuznetsov is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Santos to the mat. Santos regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Santos is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Kuznetsov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Santos being controlled here, momentarily.

Santos has his foot on Kuznetsov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuznetsov works his way back into a safe position though.
Kuznetsov passes Santos's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov is taking a breather. Santos says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Santos wants to get back to his feet.
Kuznetsov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kuznetsov lands a nice short elbow.
Well, if Kuznetsov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Santos wants to get back to his feet.
Kuznetsov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kuznetsov working the head and body with strikes.
Brian Santos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kuznetsov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kuznetsov drops an elbow to the side of Santos's head.
Kuznetsov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Santos pushes Kuznetsov off looking to stand but Kuznetsov dives back in and keeps control.
Still in half guard, Kuznetsov seems content to control.

Despite being in the dominant position, Alexei Kuznetsov just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kuznetsov misses with a double jab.
Santos moves in looking to clinch but Kuznetsov pushes him off.
Santos moves in looking to clinch but Kuznetsov pushes him off.
Santos tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kuznetsov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Santos ducks under a wild hook from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov lands a glancing blow to the side of Santos's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov thumps Santos with a low kick.
Kuznetsov throws a good cross that connects.
Alexei Kuznetsov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuznetsov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Santos walks into a straight right hand from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kuznetsov tries to bum rush Santos with a series of wild strikes but Santos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A solid body kick from Kuznetsov.
The fight stays on the outside here - Santos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kuznetsov clobbers Santos with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Good standup being displayed there by Kuznetsov as he connects with a hook.
Jab from Kuznetsov.
Kuznetsov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Santos.
Kuznetsov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kuznetsov misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Santos's head backwards.
Kuznetsov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Santos tries to clinch up.
Kuznetsov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Santos is looking to clinch.
Kuznetsov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kuznetsov throws the kick towards the body but Santos avoids it.
Danga de danga de dang - Kuznetsov scores with a four punch combination!
Santos fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kuznetsov lands a jab.
Kuznetsov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Santos's head.
Kuznetsov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kuznetsov looks to land a combination but Santos avoids it well.
Santos doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuznetsov circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexei Kuznetsov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kuznetsov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 26:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexei Kuznetsov!